Dragon Review: The Last Laugh – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Published on: 6 Aug, 2025
Updated on: 6 Aug, 2025

Bob Golding as Morecambe, Damian Williams as Cooper and Simon Cartwright as Monkhouse. Pamela Raith

By Martin Giles

We all look back at the past through rose-tinted glasses. It is probably part of the human condition to make life, or at least our memories, more agreeable. But, as someone closing in on 70, I do look back nostalgically and affectionately at the comedy acts of the sixties and seventies.

So, it seems, do many others in my senior age group, judging by the audience at the Yvonne Arnaud last night, there to watch The Last Laugh, a play featuring the comic characters Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecombe and Bob Monkhouse.

A rendition of George Formby’s Little Stick of Blackpool Rock provides one of the musical interludes. Pamela Raith

It was a very clever script by the award-winning Paul Hendy: gags, pathos, and songs intertwine to give a glimpse of the lives, characters and motivations of these legendary funny men.

They really were funny and their humour is brilliantly captured and portrayed by the cast.

Simon Cartwright, who plays Bob Monkhouse, has captured his voice with uncanny precision but all three give wonderful impressions of our comic heroes. Bob Golding, who plays Eric Morecambe, has the advantage of a physical resemblance but along with his fellow actors adds numerous detailed mannerisms to add to credibility.

Damian Williams, who plays Tommy Cooper, has captured the character so well he can repeat Cooper’s ability to just stand there with a quizzical look while the audience dissolves in laughter.

Will Eric ever play that trombone? Pamela Raith

The human nature of these icons, health problems, drink problems, relationship problems and personal tragedies are all touched on but the show never becomes morbid and laughter is never far away.

The nature of comedy is examined but without getting too analytical. Their addiction to making people laugh is something they share, as is the fear of failing to do so.

The diversions were interesting, thought provoking and provided contrast but for me reliving the enjoyment provided by these wonderful acts was what made the evening such a joy and I am fairly confident that was the feeling shared generally.

The Q&A session that followed the interval showed just how thorough had been the writer’s, and the cast’s, research and how deep was their knowledge of the characters they clearly loved.

Another joke before they are called to the stage from their shared dressing-room. Pamela Raith

I do wonder what someone who has no recollection of these acts would make of it but I guess it is not aimed at them.

Please, if you enjoyed Eric, Tommy or Bob in their heyday, get booked up to see this play. There are still some seats left and you will have fun, you will feel cheered up, and you will probably join in the standing ovation the cast, along with Tommy, Eric and Bob, will so thoroughly deserve.